SARA PALIN FAMILY BOOK SIGNING

The Mall of America has tremendous drawing
power for celebrities of all kinds. Movie starts, recording artists and
politicians all make their appearances there. Recently the Sara Palin family
had a book signing at the MOA at the end of June 2011. Sara signed her books,
“Going Rogue” and “America by Heart”. Bristol Palin signed her new book, “Not
Afraid of Life—My Journey So Far”. And even Todd Palin was on hand to sign
Sara’s books. Since Sara falls into the Politician category the security was
intense with police, mall security, and bomb sniffing dogs, along with the
whole area being blocked off with barrier blockades. The crowded rotunda area I
was expecting did not await me, but instead I was able to purchase books
immediately. To get past the barricades and stand in line for the signing, you
needed to purchase Bristol Palin’s new book and if you also wanted Sara Palin’s
signature you had to purchase one of her two available books. I think this
showed how Sara looks after her daughter. As a writer, I wish my mother could
help me sell books with an incentive like that. After your purchase, you were
allowed to enter the barricaded area, but only after a search of your bags and
undergoing a wanding of your full body. The line was short and pictures were
only allowed while standing in line, so no pictures at the signing table. And
if you thought going through security at the airport was bad, once you were
approaching the signing table, you were required to put all your bags, purses
and cameras in a plastic container. You were handed a ticket to retrieve your
belongings at the other end after your books were signed. But wait, that wasn’t
all, you had to submit to the wanding process once again. I really wasn’t sure
how they thought we could acquire other things while standing in line, but it
was not open for debate. I brought my book, Real Norwegians Eat Lutefisk,
to give to Sara and Bristol as a keepsake from Minnesota, but was told by
security I would not be allowed to bring the books up to the singing table.
Bristol was the first to sign and I must say she is a very beautiful and
gracious young woman. After watching her season on “Dancing with the Stars,” my
heart went out to her for all her willpower to keep learning the dances. I
think everyone applauded her success and how far she made it in her dancing
knowledge and expertise. She shook my hand and I told her how well I thought
she had done on the show. Sara was next; she shook my hand and asked, “What do
you do in Minnesota?” I told her I was a writer and wrote a book called, Real
Norwegians Eat Lutefisk, and I wanted to give her one but security
wouldn’t let me. She was more than willing to receive the book, and mentioned her
son, Tryg’s name was Norwegian. She motioned to security that it was okay to
leave a book for her with them. Sara Palin proved to be a very beautiful woman
on both the outside and inside along with being a genuine, friendly and
gracious woman who I admire.